Method and system for dynamic access point selection in coordinated access point group

ABSTRACT

A system and method for dynamic access point (AP) selection by a station (STA) in a coordinated AP group is herein disclosed. According to an embodiment, a STA obtains one or more link quality metrics for each link between the STA and each of a plurality of member APs in the coordinated AP group. The STA dynamically selects at least one anchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APs based on the one or more link quality metrics for each link. The at least one anchor AP being used to relay transmission between the STA and a coordinator of the coordinated AP group. Authentication of the STA with the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.

PRIORITY

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on Sep. 7, 2018 inthe United States Patent and Trademark Office and assigned Ser. No.62/728,398, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to access point (AP)coordination, and more particularly, to a method and a system fordynamic AP selection in a coordinated AP group.

BACKGROUND

Multiple AP (multi-AP) coordinated transmission is a key technology inextreme high throughput (EHT) WiFi. Multi-AP coordination technologiesfor EHT include, for example, dynamic AP selection in which an optimalAP is selected from a group of APs for a station (STA), allowing roamingto be easily performed by the STA within the group of APs.

Multi-AP coordination technologies also include, for example,transmissions between multiple APs and multiple STAs. These APs and STAsjointly form orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)packets, and transmissions between different APs and different STAsoccupy different resource units (RUs).

Existing technologies additionally include, for example, multi-APcoordinated spatial reuse, in which beamforming is coordinated withspatial nulling, and multi-AP joint beamforming, in which multiple APsjointly beamform to a single STA. Multi-AP coordination technologiesinclude distributed multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO)procedures between multiple APs and multiple STAs.

Handover in Wi-Fi systems typically requires a hard stop and switch toanother AP, as well as a significant number of message exchanges,causing overhead. In some cases, a STA may need to keep handoversbetween only two APs. In other cases, handover disrupt servicediscontinuity occurs. Further, a STA may stick to a certain AP, causingperformance degradation. An AP may want to direct a certain STA toanother AP for load balancing purposes.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamic APselection by a STA in a coordinated AP group. The STA, within a regionof the coordinated AP group, obtains one or more link quality metricsfor each link between the STA and each of a plurality of member APs inthe coordinated AP group. The STA dynamically selects at least oneanchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APs based on the oneor more link quality metrics for each link. The at least one anchor APis used to relay transmissions between the STA and a coordinator of thecoordinated AP group. Authentication of the STA with the at least oneanchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowingthe STA to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relaytransmissions without re-authentication.

According to one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamic APselection by a coordinator in a coordinated AP group. The coordinator ofthe coordinated AP group receives one or more link quality metrics foreach link between a STA and each of a plurality of member APs in thecoordinated AP group, from the plurality of member APs. The coordinatorselects an anchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APs basedon the one or more link quality metrics for each link. The anchor AP isused to relay transmissions between the STA and the coordinator.Authentication of the STA with the anchor AP is shared with all APs inthe coordinated AP group, allowing the STA to utilize any subsequentlyselected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.

According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided thatincludes a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium storing instructions. When executed, the instructions cause theprocessor to obtain one or more link quality metrics for each linkbetween the electronic device and each of a plurality of member APs in acoordinated AP group. The instructions further cause the processor toselect at least one anchor AP for the electronic device from theplurality of member APs based on the one or more link quality metricsfor each link. The at least one anchor AP is used to relay transmissionsbetween the electronic device and a coordinator of the coordinated APgroup. Authentication of the electronic device with the at least oneanchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowingthe electronic device to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP torelay transmissions without re-authentication.

According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided thatincludes a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium storing instructions. When executed, the instructions cause theprocessor to receive one or more link quality metrics for each linkbetween a STA and each of a plurality of member APs in a coordinated APgroup, from the plurality of member APs. The instructions further causethe processor to select an anchor AP for the STA from the plurality ofmember APs based on the one or more link quality metrics for each link.The anchor AP is used to relay transmissions between the STA and theelectronic device. Authentication of the STA with the anchor AP isshared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA toutilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissionswithout re-authentication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a virtual basic service set (BSS),according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for dynamic AP selection bya STA, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an information element (IE) for AP sidelink quality metrics, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a coordinator controlledAP selection, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a virtual BSS with more than one anchorAP, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a virtual BSS with more than one anchorAP, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a networkenvironment, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be notedthat the same elements will be designated by the same reference numeralsalthough they are shown in different drawings. In the followingdescription, specific details such as detailed configurations andcomponents are merely provided to assist with the overall understandingof the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications of the embodiments described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition,descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted forclarity and conciseness. The terms described below are terms defined inconsideration of the functions in the present disclosure, and may bedifferent according to users, intentions of the users, or customs.Therefore, the definitions of the terms should be determined based onthe contents throughout this specification.

The present disclosure may have various modifications and variousembodiments, among which embodiments are described below in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understoodthat the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, butincludes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within thescope of the present disclosure.

Although the terms including an ordinal number such as first, second,etc. may be used for describing various elements, the structuralelements are not restricted by the terms. The terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. For example, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure, a first structuralelement may be referred to as a second structural element. Similarly,the second structural element may also be referred to as the firststructural element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more associated items.

The terms used herein are merely used to describe various embodiments ofthe present disclosure but are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. Singular forms are intended to include plural forms unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present disclosure, itshould be understood that the terms “include” or “have” indicate theexistence of a feature, a number, a step, an operation, a structuralelement, parts, or a combination thereof, and do not exclude theexistence or probability of the addition of one or more other features,numerals, steps, operations, structural elements, parts, or combinationsthereof.

Unless defined differently, all terms used herein have the same meaningsas those understood by a person skilled in the art to which the presentdisclosure belongs. Terms such as those defined in a generally useddictionary are to be interpreted to have the same meanings as thecontextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to beinterpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearlydefined in the present disclosure.

The electronic device according to one embodiment may be one of varioustypes of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, forexample, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), acomputer, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, acamera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to oneembodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device is not limited tothose described above.

The terms used in the present disclosure are not intended to limit thepresent disclosure but are intended to include various changes,equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regardto the descriptions of the accompanying drawings, similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. A singularform of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of thethings, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As usedherein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “atleast one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and“at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations ofthe items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. Asused herein, terms such as “1st,” “2nd,” “first,” and “second” may beused to distinguish a corresponding component from another component,but are not intended to limit the components in other aspects (e.g.,importance or order). It is intended that if an element (e.g., a firstelement) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or“communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or“connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it indicatesthat the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g.,wired), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, such as, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” and“circuitry.” A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in aform of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a virtual BSS, according to oneembodiment. A virtual BSS 100 is an infrastructure BSS with a group ofcoordinated APs. In the coordinated AP group, there is a singlecoordinator 102 and one or more member APs. FIG. 1 illustrates a firstmember AP 104 and a second member AP 106. All member APs share the sameservice set identifier (SSID). All member APs may share the same basicservice set identifier (BSSID). All member APs also share theassociation and/or authentication with a STA 108, such that when the STA108 is roaming within the virtual BSS 100, no re-association and/orre-authentication is required.

The STA 108 uses the same association identifier (AID) in the virtualBSS 100. Specifically, after the AID is assigned by the coordinator 102,it is shared among all APs in the group of coordinated APs (i.e., thefirst member AP 104 and the second member AP 106 of FIG. 1).

The STA 108 selects an anchor AP, from member APs in the group ofcoordinated APs, based on link quality metrics, such as, for example,received signal strength indicators (RSSIs). The STA keeps a local copyof capabilities of the anchor AP and neighboring APs in the group ofcoordinated APs.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for dynamic AP selection bya STA, according to one embodiment. The STA obtains link quality metricsfor each link between the STA and member APs, at 202. Link qualitymetrics may be obtained through measurements at the STA (e.g., RSSI), orfrom information received from member APs. Such information may include,for example, a member AP's channel capacity to a coordinator, a memberAP's capabilities, and a number of STAs attached to a member AP. Amember AP may send all AP side link quality metric information measuredat member APs (AP side link quality metrics) to the STA.

New information elements (IEs) for the AP side link quality metrics aredefined. The member AP may send the new IEs in a beacon. FIG. 3 is adiagram illustrating an IE for AP side link quality metrics, accordingto an embodiment. The IE includes an element identifier (ID) 302, alength 304, and a quantized channel capacity to a coordinator 306.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the STA dynamically selects an anchor AP forthe STA from the member APs based on the link quality metrics for eachlink with the member APs, at 204. The anchor AP is used to relaytransmissions between the STA and a coordinator. Authentication of theSTA with the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in thecoordinated AP group, allowing the STA utilize any subsequently selectedanchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.

When the STA selects an anchor AP or switches to a new anchor AP, theSTA initiates an UL transmission, at 206. The STA sets an Address 1 inthe MAC header to a MAC address of the selected anchor AP, sets anAddress 2 to a MAC address of the STA, and sets the Address 4 to a MACaddress of the coordinator. The anchor AP relays the data to thecoordinator, and sets the Address 4 to the MAC address of the STA, setsthe Address 2 to the MAC address of the anchor AP, and sets the Address1 to the MAC address of the coordinator. DL packets are transmitted fromthe coordinator to the STA, at 208. The coordinator sends the data tothe anchor AP indicated in the Address 1 of the most recent UL packetfrom the STA.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for coordinator controlledAP selection, according to one embodiment. A STA requests switching ofan anchor AP and broadcasts sounding frames, at 402. The STA providesmeasurement information to the neighboring member APs by, for example,individually reporting channel state information (CSI) to theneighboring member APs, or broadcasting sounding neighbor discoveryprotocol (NDP) packets to the neighboring member APs, or reporting CSIof member APs to the anchor AP.

Member APs that receive the broadcast sounding frames measure the linkquality metric (e.g., RSSI) based on the sounding packets, at 404, andreport the link quality metric to the coordinator, at 406.

The coordinator selects the anchor AP for the STA based on the receivedlink quality metrics, at 408. The coordinator indicates the selectedanchor AP by a data frame to the STA, at 410. The coordinator sets theAddress 3 to the MAC address of the STA, the Address 1 to the MACaddress of the anchor AP, and the Address 2 to MAC address of thecoordinator. The anchor AP relays the packet to the STA, sets theAddress 1 to the MAC address of the STA, sets the Address 2 to the MACaddress of the anchor AP, and sets the Address 4 to the MAC address ofthe coordinator. The STA uses the MAC address of the anchor AP as theAddress 1 for the following or subsequent UL packets.

In a combination of STA driven AP selection and coordinator controlledAP selection, the STA selects a first anchor AP for UL transmission, andthe coordinator determines a second anchor AP for DL transmission.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a virtual BSS with more than one anchorAP, according to one embodiment. Within a virtual BSS 500, UL trafficflows from a STA 508, to a coordinator 502, via a first member anchor AP504. DL traffic flows from the coordinator 502, to the STA 508, via asecond member anchor AP 506.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a virtual BSS with more than one anchorAP, according to another embodiment. Within a virtual BSS 600, DLtraffic flows from a coordinator 602, to a STA 608, via both a firstmember anchor AP 604 and a second member anchor AP 606. Jointtransmission can be performed using the same time and frequencyresources, or different time and frequency resources (e.g., in a timedivision multiplexing (TDM)/frequency division multiplexing (FDM)manner).

When the STA driven AP selection scheme is used with multiple anchorAPs, the STA is required to inform the coordinator of the list of anchorAPs using a new management frame. When the coordinator controlled APselection scheme is used with multiple anchor APs, the coordinatorchooses anchor APs for a STA in DL traffic, and the STA may select ananchor AP for UL transmission.

If there is more than one hop from the coordinator to the STA, thecoordinator controlled AP selection scheme remains similar to thatdescribed above. In STA driven AP selection, the coordinator may nolonger be able to find the anchor AP of the STA based on the UL datapackets. Thus, after the STA selects or switches to a new anchor AP, theSTA is required to inform the coordinator of its selected/updated anchorAP using a management frame so that the coordinator can update therouting for DL traffic to the STA.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a networkenvironment, according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, anelectronic device 701 in a network environment 700 may communicate withan electronic device 702 via a first network 798 (e.g., a short-rangewireless communication network), or an electronic device 704 or a server708 via a second network 799 (e.g., a long-range wireless communicationnetwork). The electronic device 701 may communicate with the electronicdevice 704 via the server 708. The electronic device 701 may include aprocessor 720, a memory 730, an input device 750, a sound output device755, a display device 760, an audio module 770, a sensor module 776, aninterface 777, a haptic module 779, a camera module 780, a powermanagement module 788, a battery 789, a communication module 790, asubscriber identification module (SIM) 796, or an antenna module 797. Inone embodiment, at least one (e.g., the display device 760 or the cameramodule 780) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device701, or one or more other components may be added to the electronicdevice 701. In one embodiment, some of the components may be implementedas a single integrated circuit (IC). For example, the sensor module 776(e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, an illuminance sensor,etc.) may be embedded in the display device 760 (e.g., a display).

The processor 720 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program740) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or asoftware component) of the electronic device 701 coupled with theprocessor 720, and may perform various data processing or computations.As at least part of the data processing or computations, the processor720 may load a command or data received from another component (e.g.,the sensor module 776 or the communication module 790) in volatilememory 732, process the command or the data stored in the volatilememory 732, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory 734. Theprocessor 720 may include a main processor 721 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and anauxiliary processor 723 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), animage signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communicationprocessor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunctionwith, the main processor 721. Additionally or alternatively, theauxiliary processor 723 may be adapted to consume less power than themain processor 721, or execute a particular function. The auxiliaryprocessor 723 may be implemented as being separate from, or a part of,the main processor 721.

The auxiliary processor 723 may control at least some of the functionsor states related to at least one component (e.g., the display device760, the sensor module 776, or the communication module 790) among thecomponents of the electronic device 701, instead of the main processor721 while the main processor 721 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 721 while the main processor 721 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to oneembodiment, the auxiliary processor 723 (e.g., an image signal processoror a communication processor) may be implemented as part of anothercomponent (e.g., the camera module 780 or the communication module 790)functionally related to the auxiliary processor 723.

The memory 730 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 720 or the sensor module 776) of the electronicdevice 701. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 740) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 730 may include the volatile memory 732 or thenon-volatile memory 734.

The program 740 may be stored in the memory 730 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 742, middleware 744, oran application 746.

The input device 750 may receive a command or data to be used by anothercomponent (e.g., the processor 720) of the electronic device 701, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 701. The inputdevice 750 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, or akeyboard.

The sound output device 755 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 701. The sound output device 755 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or recording, and the receiver maybe used for receiving an incoming call. According to one embodiment, thereceiver may be implemented as being separate from, or a part of, thespeaker.

The display device 760 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 701. The display device 760 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. The display device 760 may include touchcircuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., apressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred bythe touch.

The audio module 770 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to one embodiment, the audio module 770 may obtainthe sound via the input device 750, or output the sound via the soundoutput device 755 or a headphone of an external electronic device 702directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device701.

The sensor module 776 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 701 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 701, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. The sensor module 776 may include, for example, agesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, amagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximitysensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface 777 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 701 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice 702 directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly. The interface 777 mayinclude, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), auniversal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) cardinterface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal 778 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 701 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device 702. The connecting terminal 778 may include, forexample, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or anaudio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 779 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or an electrical stimuluswhich may be recognized by a user via tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. The haptic module 779 may include, for example, a motor, apiezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

The camera module 780 may capture a still image or moving images. Thecamera module 780 may include one or more lenses, image sensors, imagesignal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 788 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 701. The power management module 788 may beimplemented as at least part of, for example, a power managementintegrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 789 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 701. According to one embodiment, the battery 789 mayinclude, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, asecondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 790 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 701 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 702, the electronic device 704, or the server 708) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 790 may include one or more communicationprocessors that are operable independently from the processor 720 (e.g.,the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wirelesscommunication. According to one embodiment, the communication module 790may include a wireless communication module 792 (e.g., a cellularcommunication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or awired communication module 794 (e.g., a local area network (LAN)communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). Acorresponding one of these communication modules may communicate withthe external electronic device via the first network 798 (e.g., ashort-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity(Wi-Fi) direct, or a standard of the Infrared Data Association (IrDA))or the second network 799 (e.g., a long-range communication network,such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g.,LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communicationmodules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single IC), ormay be implemented as multiple components (e.g., multiple ICs) that areseparate from each other. The wireless communication module 792 mayidentify and authenticate the electronic device 701 in a communicationnetwork, such as the first network 798 or the second network 799, usingsubscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity(IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 796.

The antenna module 797 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 701. According to one embodiment, the antenna module797 may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, at least oneantenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communicationnetwork, such as the first network 798 or the second network 799, may beselected, for example, by the communication module 790 (e.g., thewireless communication module 792). The signal or the power may then betransmitted or received between the communication module 790 and theexternal electronic device via the selected at least one antenna.

At least some of the above-described components may be mutually coupledand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, a general purposeinput and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or amobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 701 and the external electronicdevice 704 via the server 708 coupled with the second network 799. Eachof the electronic devices 702 and 704 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 701. All or some ofoperations to be executed at the electronic device 701 may be executedat one or more of the external electronic devices 702, 704, or 708. Forexample, if the electronic device 701 should perform a function or aservice automatically, or in response to a request from a user oranother device, the electronic device 701, instead of, or in additionto, executing the function or the service, may request the one or moreexternal electronic devices to perform at least part of the function orthe service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving therequest may perform the at least part of the function or the servicerequested, or an additional function or an additional service related tothe request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronicdevice 701. The electronic device 701 may provide the outcome, with orwithout further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a replyto the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing,or client-server computing technology may be used, for example.

One embodiment may be implemented as software (e.g., the program 740)including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium(e.g., internal memory 736 or external memory 738) that is readable by amachine (e.g., the electronic device 701). For example, a processor ofthe electronic device 701 may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. Thus, a machine may be operated to perform at least onefunction according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one ormore instructions may include code generated by a complier or codeexecutable by an interpreter. A machine-readable storage medium may beprovided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The term“non-transitory” indicates that the storage medium is a tangible device,and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but thisterm does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanentlystored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored inthe storage medium.

According to one embodiment, a method of the disclosure may be includedand provided in a computer program product. The computer program productmay be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computerprogram product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readablestorage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or bedistributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an applicationstore (e.g., Play Store™), or between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computerprogram product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarilystored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of themanufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relayserver.

According to one embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities. One or more of the above-described components maybe omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternativelyor additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs)may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integratedcomponent may still perform one or more functions of each of theplurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. Operations performed by the module, the program, oranother component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel,repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may beexecuted in a different order or omitted, or one or more otheroperations may be added.

Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in the detailed description of the present disclosure, thepresent disclosure may be modified in various forms without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the presentdisclosure shall not be determined merely based on the describedembodiments, but rather determined based on the accompanying claims andequivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dynamic access point (AP) selectionby a station (STA) in a coordinated AP group, the method comprising:obtaining, by the STA within a region of the coordinated AP group, oneor more link quality metrics for each link between the STA and each of aplurality of member APs in the coordinated AP group; and dynamicallyselecting, by the STA, at least one anchor AP for the STA from theplurality of member APs based on the one or more link quality metricsfor each link, the at least one anchor AP being used to relaytransmissions between the STA and a coordinator of the coordinated APgroup, wherein authentication of the STA with the at least one anchor APis shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA toutilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissionswithout re-authentication.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtainingthe one or more link quality metrics comprises at least one of:measuring at least a first portion of the one or more link qualitymetrics at the STA; and receiving, at the STA, at least a second portionof the one or more link quality metrics, measured by the plurality ofmember APs, in a beacon from each of the plurality of member APs.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein: the at least a first portion of the one ormore link quality metrics comprises received signal strength indicators(RSSIs); and the at least a second portion of the one or more linkquality metrics comprises at least one of a channel capacity between arespective member AP and the coordinator, capabilities of the respectivemember AP, and a number of STAs attached to the respective member AP. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: initiating an uplink (UL)transmission from the STA to the coordinator, via an anchor AP of the atleast one anchor AP.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least oneanchor AP is a first anchor AP used to relay a UL transmission from theSTA to the coordinator, and further comprising: broadcasting, by theSTA, sounding frames to the plurality of member APs; and receiving, fromthe coordinator, a data frame indicating selection of a second anchor APvia the second anchor AP, wherein the second anchor AP is used to relaydownlink (DL) transmission from the coordinator to the STA.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor AP comprises aplurality of anchor APs, and further comprising: transmitting, from theSTA, information on the plurality of anchor APs to the coordinator in amanagement frame.
 7. A method for dynamic access point (AP) selection bya coordinator in a coordinated AP group, the method comprising:receiving, by the coordinator of the coordinated AP group, one or morelink quality metrics for each link between a station (STA) and each of aplurality of member APs in the coordinated AP group, from the pluralityof member APs; and selecting, by the coordinator, an anchor AP for theSTA from the plurality of member APs based on the one or more linkquality metrics for each link, the anchor AP being used to relaytransmissions between the STA and the coordinator, whereinauthentication of the STA with the anchor AP is shared with all APs inthe coordinated AP group, allowing the STA utilize any subsequentlyselected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more link quality metrics aremeasured by the plurality of member APs in response to a sounding framesbroadcast from the STA.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the one ormore link quality metrics comprise received signal strength indicators(RSSIs), and at least one of a channel capacity between a respectivemember AP and the coordinator, capabilities of the respective member AP,and a number of STAs attached to the respective member AP.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: transmitting, by the coordinator,an indication of the selected anchor AP in a data frame to the STA, viathe selected anchor AP.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the selectedanchor AP is a first anchor AP used to relay downlink (DL) transmissionfrom the coordinator to the STA, and further comprising: receiving anuplink (UL) transmission at the coordinator, from the STA, via a secondanchor AP, selected by the STA from among the plurality of member APs.12. An electronic device, comprising: a processor; and a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: obtain one or more link qualitymetrics for each link between the electronic device and each of aplurality of member access points (APs) in a coordinated AP group; andselect at least one anchor AP for the electronic device from theplurality of member APs based on the one or more link quality metricsfor each link, the at least one anchor AP being used to relaytransmission between the electronic device and a coordinator of thecoordinated AP group, wherein authentication of the electronic devicewith the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in thecoordinated AP group, allowing the electronic device to utilize anysubsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions withoutre-authentication.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein, inobtaining the one or more link quality metrics, the instructions furthercause the processor to: measure at least a first portion of the one ormore link quality metrics at the electronic device; and receive at leasta second portion of the one or more link quality metrics, measured bythe plurality of member APs, in a beacon from each of the plurality ofmember APs.
 14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to: initiate an uplink (UL)transmission from the electronic device to the coordinator, via ananchor AP of the at least one anchor AP.
 15. The electronic device ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one anchor AP is a first anchor AP usedto relay a UL transmission from the electronic device to thecoordinator, and the instructions further cause the processor to:broadcast sounding frames to the plurality of member APs; and receive,from the coordinator, a data frame indicating selection of a secondanchor AP via the second anchor AP, wherein the second anchor AP is usedto relay downlink (DL) transmission from the coordinator to theelectronic device.
 16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the atleast one anchor AP comprises a plurality of anchor APs, and theinstructions further cause the processor to: transmit information on theplurality of anchor APs to the coordinator in a management frame.
 17. Anelectronic device, comprising: a processor; and a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: receive one or more link qualitymetrics for each link between a station (STA) and each of a plurality ofmember APs in a coordinated AP group, from the plurality of member APs;and select an anchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APsbased on the one or more link quality metrics for each link, the anchorAP being used to relay transmissions between the STA and the electronicdevice, wherein authentication of the STA with the anchor AP is sharedwith all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA to utilizeany subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions withoutre-authentication.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein theone or more link quality metrics are measured by the plurality of memberAPs in response to a sounding frames broadcast from the STA.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 17, wherein the instructions further causethe processor to: transmit an indication of the selected anchor AP in adata frame to the STA, via the selected anchor AP.
 20. The electronicdevice of claim 17, wherein the selected anchor AP is a first anchor APused to relay a downlink (DL) transmission from the electronic device tothe STA, and the instructions further cause the processor to: receive anuplink (UL) transmission at the coordinator, from the STA, via a secondanchor AP, selected by the STA from among the plurality of member APs.